Will you ever be too old for Video Games?

I'm halfway through becoming too old for them. The last time I visited a game store, when once I would have bought something I bought nothing. Everything looked boring, stupid, childish, and overpriced. Trailers that once would have made me excited now elicit a "meh". I still like some games, but my overall interest has waned so much...

I know what you mean. I've had my interest in video games decrease, but I think it has more to do with the industry being less original these days than anything else.

There are exceptions. I put 120 hours into Skyrim, and I beat Deadly Premonition twice, putting over 30 hours into it each time. I'm also looking forward to The Last of Us. I have plenty of video game ideas in my head as well, all of which the industry isn't doing or won't do.

I don't really do retro gaming that much now. When I first discovered emulation, it was exciting to revisit the great days of the past and replay all those old favorites. Now, I've played them so much it's hard for me to care, and hard for me to even look at many of those games! They look terrible and sometimes sound terrible too.

However, I recently played and enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man. As long as games continue to be interesting and original and well-made, I'll likely continue to enjoy them. But I've played so many that I guess I demand a little more now. A little more quality, a little more freshness.

Certainly as I get older I get more picky when it comes to games. A lot of it is because I have so much less time to game, and thus have to chose quality over quantity. I tend to get more annoyed at the waste of time rather than money if I end up with a lousy game.

I've also gotten a lot less tolerant of poor writing as I get older, and not just in games.

And since I've been playing video games for over two decades, things that are the nth rehashing of the same game no longer appeal - I don't want another version of the same game I already played, with some prettier graphics and maybe one new mechanic slapped on. (I'm looking at you, Pokemon)

My preferred genre's have changed over the years. It used to be all about RTS and cartoony FPS games, now it's more sandbox, simulators and Western RPG's.

Part of me feels that the reason I've never "grown out" of videogames is that I'm pretty adaptable gaming-wise. I lack a gaming "niche" per se and can play almost anything I'm given.

edited 31st Aug '12 5:34:33 PM by rmctagg09

I feel like I've outgrown a few genres of games since I was a kid. I outgrew platformers and sports games some time around 14, and just recently, FPS/3PS games have just lost their luster. I'll still pick up an FPS if it looks fun, but mostly, the only games I play nowadays are W/JRPGS, Action/Adventure titles, and other sandbox games.

But I don't think I'll ever outgrow Vidya as a whole. I'll probably devote less time to it, but I can't see myself stopping altogether.

I'd have to say that most of you that think you've "outgrown" video games are probably just getting disillusioned with the industry. It's impossible to "outgrow" an entire medium.

x2 That's probably the case with me as well. I don't particularly care for some genres (FPS, JRPG) but I'm not completely opposed to games purely for being in that genre. I'm fairly open-minded.

We're in an odd spot because the original video game generation is aging. There's a generational difference now. We don't like to admit it, but some of our our reaction times aren't what they used to be (and everyone's varies/deteriorates subjectively). The young whippersnappers are the ones designing and buying most games nowadays.

I'm 38 now, and honestly I hate how World Of Warcraft has become "get out of the firecraft" with most of the battles. I don't want to be moving my character around nonstop as I try to shoot. I can, but it's wearing on me. It feels more like a chore than an exciting battle.

Get off my virtual, pixelated lawn, kids!

I dunno, I suppose if I ever find that I'm just not finding it fun anymore. I'm 30 and I'm still plenty into the ones that I like.

I think I'm getting a bit old for gaming. It is becoming more and more physically exhausting.

Funnily enough, it only applies to video games.

Yes, around the same time I am too old to hear or move without a walker.

I might get too old to play 'em, but I'll never get too old to watch 'em.

Seriously, half the fun of video games is backseat driving with your friends and annoying the bajesus out of them.

Maybe I will. Can't say for sure. I noticed I've become a lot pickier about games over the years. I think I've been spoiled, mainly by good graphics, story-oriented RP Gs and being able to choose different races and genders for your character. Though, of course, these types of games haven't been without problems.

Anyway, people have been telling me for over 4 years now that I'm too old to be playing video games. I'm currently 22 years old.

This is my response to anyone who ever asks me this question or, worse, tells me that I am too old; whether the subject at hand be videogames, Disney, anime, etc.

edited 5th Jan '13 10:28:38 AM by TheAirman